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Maine's CHOICES CEO Project
Youth and Employment
Maine Resources
Youth Mentoring
You may remember a teacher, coach, or neighbor who you looked up to and could always go to for support and youth with disabilities need the same thing. Research and best practices highlight the importance for youth to have supportive relationships and adult connections. Go here for more information and resources.
"Youth with Disabilities, a Maine Workforce Development Review"This publication, released by the CHOICES project in 2010, provides a summary of observations that emerged from a review of the disability and workforce development literature, as well as from interviews with successful workforce development programs in Maine that focus on connecting youth with disabilities with meaningful work-related training and experiences. This report is available in two formats: as a Word document, and in PDF format.
Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluates Support of Educational ServicesCHOICES CEO staff helped Maine's Division of Vocational Rehabiliation to analyze the support it provides for individuals with disabilities that it serves, particularly in relation to vocational outcomes. One statement of the findings:
"It is clear from these results that the substantial investment by clients and the DVR agency in postsecondary education does pay off in the form of better jobs and better pay, but that payoff is confined primarily to those who are able to complete a degree. Unfortunately, degree completers represent only a small fraction (18%) of all DVR participants who use postsecondary services."
The full summary report is available here.
411 Disability Disclosure Curriculum and WorkbookThe Maine Transition Network completed in 2007 a demonstration project that addresses the understanding of one's disability, fears about disclosing disability information with employers, and that provides information on how to ask for accommodations.
The curriculum, student workbook and pictures from the 411 Disability Disclosure demonstration sessions, is available for viewing and downloading here.
Engaging Maine's Youth Task ForceThe CHOICES CEO project was invited to be a member of the Engaging Maine's Youth Task Force. The task force was charged with identifying the issues related to youth who are not engaged, or are at risk of disengaging from school or work. The final executive summary of this investigation (June 2007) is available here.
National Resources
- The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities
- This workbook helps young people make informed decisions about whether or not to disclose their disability and helps them understand how that decision may impact their education, employment and social lives.
- National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
- Based in Minnesota, NCSET coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance and provides information related to secondary education and transition for young people with disabilities. Visit their topics page for quick access to an index of key subjects. Each topic contains an introduction frequently asked questions, related research, emerging practices, web sites and other resources.
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth
- NCWD/Youth offers information about youth with disabilities and employment. Their technical assistance tools page provides guidance in the design and implementation of workforce programs.
